While the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured that thorough investigations are underway to solve the killings, authorities are eyeing politics as the motive behind the series of slays, especially in the case of Lubigan.

Several news reports said Lubigan was killed a day after announcing his intention to run for mayor in the upcoming May 2019 elections.

Some opposition lawmakers expressed apprehensions that the killings could be orchestrated to create an “atmosphere of lawlessness to justify a strongman rule.”

But Senator Aquilino Pimentel III fended off the speculations, stressing that President Duterte does not condone the killings, noting that the Chief Executive is not the kind who will use such situations as a pretext to impose nationwide martial law.

“No way that lives will be sacrificed just so the President can impose martial law nationwide. Hindi po tayo ganyan at hindi rin ganyan ang presidente po natin (We are not like that, neither is our president),” the former Senate President and Duterte’s party-mate said.

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